. >>> and a historic day in racing as danica patrick breaks down a longstanding barrier. we'll show you, next. >>> nbc bay area news starts now. >>> good evening. i'm diane dwyer. >> i'm terry mcsweeney. less than two weeks before pope benedict steps down, a massive crowd gathered to hear what could be one of his last public prayers. 50,000 people came to st. peter's square, doubled last week's crowd. >> reporter: in rome where there is no shortage of must-see attractions, suddenly elderly pope benedict is number one on everyone's list. today he delivered his weekly prayer from his balcony just as he has for nearly eight years, but this crowd was worthy of a rock star. iz exit from his last public mass on ash wednesday turned churchgoers into paparazzi. the hottest ticket in town? benedict's final audience on february 27 th, the day before he steps down. 35,000 people have already requested free tickets says